BACOLOD CITY—The Philippine national dragon-boat team faces a hard row to hoe.
With all eyes on the national team mainstays looking to prove their worth in the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission National Games, the men’s 20-man crew struggled and suffered a shock loss.
The nationals had the speed but struggled for control and were disqualified from the 500-meter event, handing victory to the Boracay Guardians at the Bantayan Park in Bago City.
The team had the lead but drifted off its lane in the final 150 meters because of the strong current, and their boat collided with the rushing Boracay Guardians.
The nationals’ steersman went overboard and a rower dropped his oar to take over and guide the squad to the finish, but the incident caused their disqualification and gave the Guardians automatic victory.
The nationals were actually assessed two infractions—lane violation and failing to finish the race with a full crew—but Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation secretary-general Jonne Go explained it was a racing incident caused by the rough waters, noting that the Navymen also struggled to stay on their lane, and the disqualification just sounds worse than it actually is.
The Guardians’ victory at Bantayan Park was officially clocked two minutes and 22.31 seconds, while the Philippine Navy Fleet Marine Team bagged second place in 2:28.71.
In kayak also at Bantayan Park, 15-year-old Hermie de Guzman topped the men’s touring single 500-meter event in 2:24.81, beating Edward and Edgar Galang, who clocked 2:59.60 and 3:04.29, respectively.
Philippine team members Alex and Alvin Generalo made it 1-2 in the single sprint, the former clocking 2:11.32 and the latter 2:14.97, while Lionel Imus timed 2:58:52.
Imus teamed up with Daniel Ortega to win the men’s touring double in 4:17:45, while the Generalos saw action with different partners and settled for second and third places. Alex Generalo and Ojay Fuentes timed 4:20.43 in taking the silver medal, while Alvin Generalo and Jonathan Cruz submitted 4:23.33 for the bronze.
The canoe sprint single 500-meter event gold medal went to Danny Funelas (2:34.25). Norwel Cajes (2:39.65) and Hermie de Guzman (2:55.56) were second and third, respectively.
Jho-An Banayag’s humble return
Jho-An Banayag dished out a fine performance in the women’s 10,000-meter run, finishing the race over three minutes clear of her rivals at the Panaad Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
The Army private is looking to make amends after being suspended from the national squad for taking part in a money race, breaking the restrictions imposed on national athletes training for an upcoming event. The victory in the race in Camarines Sur netted Banayag P120,000, but it also cost her her slot on the national team because the race was held less than three months before the Asian Games in Guangzhou last year.
Banayag said it was a tough decision, but stressed that she needed the money then and now she has learned her lesson after losing not only her monthly allowance but the pride and privilege of donning the country’s tricolors on the international stage.
The 10K is not Banayag’s pet event—the marathon is not included in these Games—but the 28-year-old said she will do everything to prove her worth.
“Gagawin ko po ang lahat ng makakaya ko para makabalik sa national team,” said Banayag after clocking 37 minutes and 44.30 seconds to beat Aileen Tolentino (40:59.00) and Cerila Cortel (41:42.90). She was, however, way off her personal best of 36:20 but she is confident that she can still improve.
Rosie Villarito threw the metal ball to 11.26 meters to rule the women’s shot put. The Laos SEA Games javelin champion beat Monalisa Mendez, who came up with a 10.23-meter throw, and Hanna Erika Sia, who made 9.65 in the sportsfest sponsored by Smart, Procter&Gamble, Scratch It Go for Gold and Summit Mineral Water.
Palarong Pambansa discus throw record holder Maika de Oro brought her act to Bacolod and trumped her rivals with a 37.36-meter heave in girls’ discus throw. The 17-year-old de Oro, who set a new Palaro record of 40.25 meters in Dapitan just a fortnight ago, handily beat Twinkle Masilangan (31.73) and Florence Tepstra (30.81) in the tournament also supported by Negros Navigation, SuperFerry, Gatorade, Standard Insurance Co., Zest Air, Accel, Merci Bread and Pastries, Bodivance and Reliv.
All-star cast in pool
EVEN those who have proven themselves many times in the international circuit are taking part in these Games.
The billiards field boasts of probably the biggest name in pool—Efren “Bata” Reyes—with several other top cue aces also seeing action.
World 8-ball champion and Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco, Carlo Biado, Jeff de Luna, Jundel Mason, women’s World 10-Ball champion Rubilen Amit and Iris Ranola are playing, according to coach Boyet Asonto.
